Gaining Insights on Career Satisfaction for Women in Mining

CIM MEMO 2010

Donna Beneteau, Samantha Espley,

Abstract
This paper presents experiences and views of “Women in Mining” as determined from a survey conducted with women across the Canadian mining industry. The women represent many different areas within the mining industry including a broad range of roles in industry, government, academia and in the supplies and services sector.

The survey data is summarized to provide insight into a range of experiences of women in mining along with feedback on possible concepts for consideration in improving the gender diversity and work satisfaction. The survey provides an overall understanding why women pursue or work in the mining industry, and why women either remain or chose to leave. The advantages and disadvantages that have been experienced by women are highlighted along with a summary of the possible initiatives that could be undertaken by employers as opportunities to improve the attraction of the mining industry for career-minded women. As well, the survey provides a summary of the top 10 features that are already in place at various organizations and community groups to support and encourage women to join and remain in the industry. Not surprisingly, the survey identifies one of the key ingredients for retention of women is the provision of mentors along with a specific style of mentoring. Another key aspect for retention is the provision of progressive employment policies that address the need for a degree of flexibility in work hours and a culture of balance between work/life demands.

The survey and results are portrayed with only a female perspective. This was done deliberately as women represent a key stakeholder group that can help enhance the mining industry’s sustainability. It is believed that a gender-balanced workforce is one way of providing wider diversity in the mining industry. This is built on the strongly-held premise that wider diversity brings better solutions.

During the mining boom there was a shortage of new miners to our industry. Cementation felt that there was an urgent need to develop a training program for new miners. The training program was developed in 2004 and Cementation has successfully trained new miners in our training program and is currently working on a fifth training program. The New Miner Training program contributes to the development of long term relationships within our First Nation communities.

The Kutcho Copper Project is located in northern British Columbia. This paper will review the history of the site and then focus on the optimization of the Preliminary Economic Assessment that was completed in September 2009. This process relied on assistance from the Cozamin Mine in Mexico, various consultants and peer review sessions, all of which had a beneficial contribution to the economic key performance indicators.

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Excessive vibration is known to have an adverse affect on soft body tissue and operators of heavy mining equipment can be exposed to vibration that exceeds levels recommended in international guidelines (ISO 2631-1, for example). Research has found that many of the seat and suspension systems currently used in mine haul trucks and load haul dump vehicles are actually amplifying the vibration. This overview presentation will outline the current research being conducted at Laurentian University...

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Until 2009, the Mouska Mine was a conventional underground mine, using primarily shrinkage mining to extract the narrow veins that contain its mineralization. As milling occurs at the Doyon Mill site, approximately 4 km away, the use of paste backfill had never been practical. However, upon cessation of mining operations at the Doyon Mine, the paste backfill plant became available for use by Mouska. Because milling operations are temporarily suspended, awaiting batch processing later in 2010,...

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The mining and concentrating operations typically produce 240,000 metric tonnes per day of Copper and Gold ore from the combined mining of an 80,000 tonnes per day (ore) block cave operation (DOZ Mine) and a 160,000 tonnes per day (ore) open pit mining operation (Grasberg Open Pit). The Grasberg Open pit mine will be...

Over the past 30 years, underground paste backfill systems have been implemented across the globe in many configurations each with a primary focus of providing high quality backfill to enhance mine operations. However a number of key design drivers are not always well understood within design engineering firms that occasionally undertake this work, leaving opportunities on the table. Perhaps not always obvious to those newly embracing paste technology, identifying key drivers and opportunitie...

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Dust abatement is possible on bulk materials, whether conveyed or stockpiled. Minimum (ppm) quantities of chemical additives can efficiently and rapidly control dust of conveyed substrates with no effect on floatation chemistry. Top coating of large surface areas can control surface dust and wind erosion. Environmental and toxicity impact must be considered in any treatment, especially on areas with percolation runoff, leachates, or limited containment. The most effective dust control is...

A Deep Geologic Repository (DGR) for the long-term management of operational Low and Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste (L&ILW) is being proposed by Ontario Power Generation atthe 932-ha Bruce site. The Bruce site is located approximately 225 kilometres northwest of Toronto near Tiverton, Ontario. The project is currently in the environmental assessment and regulatory approvals phase. This paper describes OPG’s proposed DGR including the underground repository concept comprised of...

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Engineers Canada is the national organization of the 12 provincial and territorial engineering associations who license Professional Engineers in Canada. Engineers Canada acts as the voice of its members in national and international affairs, and is charged with delivering national programs related to engineering education, professional qualifications and professional practice as well as conducting research activities to monitor the pulse of the engineering profession in Canada. To...

Looking at modern mining equipment, especially jumbos, an obvious feature is the number, variety, and length of hydraulic hoses used. This reduces the maneuverability of the machine, increases the chances of hose failure and increases downtime in finding the leak, unbundling the hoses, replacing and reassembling the unit. In addition, many hydraulic systems recycle fluid at the pump in order to reduce lag time for functions. This wastes power and adds potential for fluid loss.An alternative...

Abstract: For generations, the mining industry has been committed to work toward developing new technology that can improve safety and increase production. Now with a more environmentally conscious society and stiffer environmental regulations, a natural progression for the industry is to develop “green” or environmentally friendly technologies. Not only could this...

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This paper presents experiences and views of “Women in Mining” as determined from a survey conducted with women across the Canadian mining industry. The women represent many different areas within the mining industry including a broad range of roles in industry, government, academia and in the supplies and services sector.

The survey data is summarized to provide insight into a range of experiences of women in mining along with feedback on possible concepts for consideration in improving...

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Evolution of a Mine Development System – Tunnel Boring Machine… international collaboration and people management required for success By Neil Brown, P.Eng.

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